Vehicle side structure of pickup truck

ABSTRACT

A vehicle side structure of a pickup truck includes a cabin; and a loading platform that is disposed adjacent to a rear side of the cabin in the vehicle forward-rearward direction, is configured to include a bottom plate, a pair of right and left side panels, and a tail gate, and is formed in a box shape that opens toward a vehicle upper side. Each of the right and left side panels includes a traveling wind inlet part that is disposed at an outer part of each of the right and left side panels in a vehicle width direction, opens toward a vehicle front side, and includes a first opening, a traveling wind blowing part that is disposed at an upper end part of each of the right and left side panels, opens toward the vehicle upper side, and includes a second opening, and an intermediate part.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-253647 filed onDec. 27, 2016 including the specification, drawings and abstract isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck.

2. Description of Related Art

During the traveling of a vehicle in which a cabin and a loadingplatform are coupled together like a pickup truck, traveling wind, whichhas passed through rear end parts of a cabin on both sides in a vehiclewidth direction, runs around at a relatively high flow speed inward inthe vehicle width direction on a vehicle upper side of a loadingplatform, and flows toward a vehicle rear side so as to hit a tail gate.Since the traveling wind that flows in this way collides against anupper side of the tail gate in a vehicle upward-downward direction, thepressure on the vehicle front side of the tail gate becomes relativelyhigh. Accordingly, it is known that the air resistance received by thevehicle increases. For this reason, in the related art, a technique ofdeflecting the flow of the traveling wind on the vehicle upper side ofthe loading platform, thereby controlling a flow rate on a rear side ofthe loading platform and improving the aerodynamic performance of avehicle is known.

For example, a loading-platform structure of a pickup truck providedwith a tonneau cover for covering at least a rear side on the upper sideof the loading platform in the vehicle upward-downward direction isdisclosed in United States Patent Laid-Open No. 2015/0246696. Accordingto the structure, entering of the traveling wind, which has passedthrough the rear end parts of the cabin on both sides in the vehiclewidth direction, into the loading platform, is suppressed, and thecollision of the traveling wind against an upper side of the tail gateis suppressed. As a result, since the pressure acting on a vehicle frontside of the tail gate is relatively reduced and the air resistance ofthe overall vehicle decreases relatively, aerodynamic performance isrelatively improved.

SUMMARY

However, in the case of the vehicle side structure of a pickup truckdisclosed in United States Patent Laid-Open No. 2015/0246696, due to thetonneau cover and a link mechanism for attaching the tonneau cover tothe loading platform, the number of parts increases and the weight ofvehicle increases. For this reason, even when the air resistance isrelatively reduced by controlling the flow rate, fuel efficiencydecreases relatively with an increase in the weight of the vehicle.Therefore, there is also a disadvantageous case where the effect ofrelatively reducing the air resistance is offset. Moreover, since it isnecessary to provide a space that stores the tonneau cover, a space forfront and rear end parts of the loading platform in a vehicleforward-rearward direction is relatively reduced. Moreover, since thetonneau cover is provided, there is also a disadvantageous case whererestrictions are imposed on the height of freights to be loaded on theloading platform.

The present disclosure provides a vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck that can further reduce the air resistance received by a vehicleand can suppress an increase in the weight of the vehicle.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle side structureof a pickup truck including a cabin that is disposed at a middle of avehicle body in a vehicle forward-rearward direction; and a loadingplatform that is disposed adjacent to a rear side of the cabin in thevehicle forward-rearward direction, is configured to include a bottomplate formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, a pair of right and leftside panels, the side panels being erected toward a vehicle upper sidefrom both sides of the bottom plate in a vehicle width direction andextending in the vehicle forward-rearward direction, and a tail gatethat is erected toward the vehicle upper side from a rear end part ofthe bottom plate and extends in the vehicle width direction, and theloading platform is formed in a box shape that opens toward the vehicleupper side (in addition, in the present specification, the expression“the intermediate part” includes meaning “a substantially intermediatepart”). Each of the right and left side panels includes a traveling windinlet part that is disposed at an outer part of each of the right andleft side panels in the vehicle width direction, and includes a firstopening which opens toward a vehicle front side, and into whichtraveling wind flowing along an outer surface of each of the right andleft side panels in the vehicle width direction flows, a traveling windblowing part that is disposed at an upper end part of each of the rightand left side panels, and includes a second opening which opens towardthe vehicle upper side, and which from which the traveling wind flowingin from the traveling wind inlet part flows out, and an intermediatepart including a flow passage provided between the traveling wind inletpart and the traveling wind blowing part.

The working of the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck of theaspect of the present disclosure is as follows. In the pickup truck inwhich the cabin and the loading platform are coupled together, thetraveling wind that flows along the outer surface of each side panel inthe vehicle width direction during traveling of the vehicle flows infrom the first opening of the traveling wind inlet part disposed at theouter part of the side panel. An airstream that has flowed into thetraveling wind inlet part is straightened by passing through theintermediate part. The straightened airstream flows out at a relativelyhigh flow speed from the second opening of the traveling wind blowingpart to the vehicle upper side. Meanwhile, the traveling wind, which haspassed through rear end parts of the cabin on both sides in the vehiclewidth direction, runs around at a relatively high flow speed inward inthe vehicle width direction on the vehicle upper side of the loadingplatform, and flows toward the vehicle rear side of the loading platformwhere the tail gate is erected and toward the inside in the vehiclewidth direction. The traveling wind collides against the airstream thathas flowed out at a relatively high flow speed from the traveling windblowing part on the vehicle upper side of the traveling wind blowingpart. For this reason, the traveling wind, which tries to run around tothe inside in the vehicle width direction due to an inertia force of theairstream that has flowed out at a relatively high flow speed from thetraveling wind blowing part, is deflected.

In this way, according to the aspect of the present disclosure, thetraveling wind, which passes through the rear end parts of the cabin onboth sides in the vehicle width direction and tries to run around to theinside of the loading platform in the vehicle width direction, is pushedout outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the flow rate ofthe traveling wind that collides against the tail gate erected from therear end part of the loading platform is further reduced. Accordingly,since the wind pressure received by the tail gate is further reduced andthe air resistance of the overall vehicle is further reduced,aerodynamic performance is improved.

Additionally, according to the aspect of the present disclosure, it isnot needed to attach a heavy load, such as a tonneau cover, and astructure or mechanism for actuating the heavy load is also not needed.For this reason, compared to a tonneau cover mounted vehicle, the numberof parts is reduced, and the weight of the vehicle is also reduced.Moreover, since it is not needed to attach the tonneau cover, there isno restriction on the height of freights to be loaded on the loadingplatform.

As described above, the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck of theaspect of the present disclosure has excellent effects that the airresistance received by a vehicle can be further reduced and an increasein the weight of the vehicle can be suppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance ofexemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pickup truck having avehicle side structure of a pickup truck according to a first embodimentas seen from a vehicle rear side;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a side panel of the pickuptruck having the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck according tothe first embodiment as seen from a vehicle lateral side;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along line III-III, illustrating thevehicle side structure of a pickup truck illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along line IV-IV, illustrating thevehicle side structure of a pickup truck illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along line V-V, illustrating thevehicle side structure of a pickup truck illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 illustrating avehicle side structure of a pickup truck according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 illustrating avehicle side structure of a pickup truck according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 illustrating avehicle side structure of a pickup truck according to a fourthembodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 illustrating avehicle side structure of a pickup truck according to anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In addition, asappropriately illustrated in the following drawings, arrow FR indicatesa vehicle front, arrow UP indicates a vehicle upper side, and arrow INindicates an inside in the vehicle width direction.

Overall Configuration of Pickup Truck

First, an overall configuration of a pickup truck 10 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pickup truck 10is configured to include a cabin 14 disposed at an intermediate part ina vehicle forward-rearward direction, and a loading platform 16 disposedadjacent to a vehicle rear side of the cabin 14. The cabin 14 and theloading platform 16 are supported by a frame (not illustrated) that isprovided with a pair of side members extending in the vehicleforward-rearward direction and a plurality of cross members bridgingbetween the side members, and that is formed in the shape of a ladder ina vehicle plan view.

The configuration of the cabin 14 and the loading platform 16 will bebriefly described. A floor panel 20 is disposed on a lower side of thecabin 14 in a vehicle upward-downward direction. Additionally, a roofpanel 22 is disposed on the vehicle upper side of the cabin 14. Awindshield glass 24 is disposed on a vehicle front side of the cabin 14,and a back panel 26 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the cabin14.

Additionally, an engine compartment 28 is disposed on the vehicle frontside of the pickup truck 10. An engine hood 30 is disposed on an upperside of the engine compartment 28 in the vehicle upward-downwarddirection. A lower end part of the windshield glass 24 is disposed on arear end side of the engine hood 30.

The loading platform 16 is formed in a box shape opening to the vehicleupper side. Specifically, the loading platform 16 is provided with abottom plate 32 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. Moreover, theloading platform 16 is configured to include a pair of right and leftside panels 34, the side panels 34 being erected from both sides of thebottom plate 32 in the vehicle width direction toward the vehicle upperside and extending in the vehicle forward-rearward direction, a tailgate 36 erected from a rear end part of the bottom plate 32 toward thevehicle upper side, and a front upright plate 38 erected from a frontend part of the bottom plate 32 toward the vehicle upper side.

Detailed Configuration of Vehicle Side Structure of Pickup Truck

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, substantially rectangular travelingwind inlet part 44 having the vehicle upward-downward direction as alongitudinal direction in a side view is disposed at an intermediatepart of a vehicle-width-direction outer part 40 of each side panel 34 inthe vehicle forward-rearward direction. A first opening 42 that openstoward the vehicle front side is provided at a front end part of thetraveling wind inlet part 44, and is configured such that the travelingwind flowing along an outer surface of the side panel 34 in the vehiclewidth direction from the first opening 42 flows thereinto.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a streamline-shaped introduction part 54 fortaking traveling wind into the traveling wind inlet part 44 isintegrally formed on the vehicle front side (upstream side) of the firstopening 42. The height of the introduction part 54 (that is, the lengththereof in the vehicle upward-downward direction) is set to be equal tothe height of the first opening 42 and the traveling wind inlet part 44.

Additionally, the introduction part 54 is inclined inward in the vehiclewidth direction in a streamline shape, and is formed so as to connect tothe first opening 42 and the traveling wind inlet part 44 in astreamline shape in order to efficiently take in the traveling windaround the traveling wind inlet part 44 without disturbing the flow ofthe traveling wind.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 and the like, a traveling wind blowing part 58formed in a substantially rectangular shape in the vehicle plan view isdisposed on a rear side of an upper end part of each side panel 34 inthe vehicle forward-rearward direction. A second opening 56 that openstoward the vehicle upper side is formed at an upper end part of thetraveling wind blowing part 58, and the traveling wind that has flowedin from the traveling wind inlet part 44 flows out of the second opening56.

The length of the traveling wind blowing part 58 in the longitudinaldirection is set to be equal to the length of the second opening 56 inthe vehicle forward-rearward direction in order to make the travelingwind taken in from the traveling wind inlet part 44 efficiently flow outof the traveling wind blowing part 58 as an airstream D. Similarly, thelength of the traveling wind blowing part 58 in a lateral direction isset to be equal to the length of the second opening 56 in the vehiclewidth direction.

An inside of the traveling wind blowing part 58 in the vehicle widthdirection is formed along a ridgeline 60 extending in the vehicleforward-rearward direction on an inside of the upper end part of eachside panel 34 in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle plan view.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, an intermediate part 64 provided with aflow passage 62 for straightening the traveling wind that has flowed infrom the traveling wind inlet part 44 is provided between the travelingwind inlet part 44 and the traveling wind blowing part 58. The flowpassage 62 extends in a streamline shape toward the vehicle rear sideand the vehicle upper side in a vehicle side view between theintermediate part 64 and the traveling wind blowing part 58.Additionally, the flow passage 62 extends in a streamline shape towardthe vehicle rear side and the inside in the vehicle width direction inthe vehicle plan view between the intermediate part 64 and the travelingwind blowing part 58. The vicinity of the traveling wind blowing part 58is formed along the ridgeline 60 extending in the vehicleforward-rearward direction on the inside of the upper end part of eachside panel 34 in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle plan view.Here, the straightening means the flow of the air that flows at auniform speed in one direction along a parallel streamline inside theintermediate part 64.

In order to remove and straighten the turbulence of the traveling windtaken in from the first opening 42 of the traveling wind inlet part 44,a straightening plate 66 extending so as to become parallel to the flowpassage 62 between the intermediate part 64 and the traveling windblowing parts 58 is provided inside the flow passage 62. Thestraightening plate 66 is a plate-shaped member made of any one ofmetal, resin, and a composite material or a combination thereof. Thereis provided a plurality of the straightening plates 66 (two in thepresent embodiment), and the straightening plates 66 are disposed atapproximately equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the flowpassage 62, and extend between an outer wall 68 on an outside in thevehicle width direction and an inner wall 70 on the inside in thevehicle width direction.

Working and Effects of First Embodiment

Next, the working and the effects of the present embodiment will bedescribed.

As for the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck of the presentembodiment, in the pickup truck 10 in which the cabin 14 and the loadingplatform 16 are coupled together, the traveling wind that flows alongthe outer surface of each side panel 34 in the vehicle width directionduring traveling flows into the first opening 42 of the traveling windinlet part 44. The airstream that has flowed into the traveling windinlet part 44 is straightened by passing through the intermediate part64 provided with the straightening plates 66. The straightened airstreamflows out as the airstream D having a relatively high flow speed fromthe second opening 56 of the traveling wind blowing part 58 along thestraightening plates 66 to the vehicle upper side.

Meanwhile, the traveling wind, which has passed through rear end parts72 of the cabin 14 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, runsaround at a relatively high flow speed inward in the vehicle widthdirection on the vehicle upper side of the loading platform 16, andflows toward the vehicle rear side where the tail gate 36 is erected andtoward the inside in the vehicle width direction. The traveling windcollides against the airstream D that has flowed out at a relativelyhigh flow speed from the traveling wind blowing part 58 to the vehicleupper side on the vehicle upper side of the traveling wind blowing part58. For this reason, the traveling wind, which tries to run around tothe inside in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle upper side ofthe loading platform 16 due to an inertia force of the airstream D thathas flowed out at a relatively high flow speed from the traveling windblowing part 58 to the vehicle upper side, is pushed out and deflectedoutward in the vehicle width direction.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the traveling wind, which passesthrough the rear end parts 72 of the cabin 14 on both sides in thevehicle width direction and tries to run around to the inside of theloading platform 16 in the vehicle width direction, is pushed out anddeflected outward in the vehicle width direction due to the airstream Dthat has flowed out at a relatively high flow speed from the travelingwind blowing part 58 to the vehicle upper side. For this reason, theflow rate of the traveling wind that collides against the tail gate 36erected from a rear end part of the loading platform 16 is furtherreduced.

Additionally, in the present embodiment, an inner part of the secondopening 56 in the vehicle width direction and the inside of thetraveling wind blowing part 58 in the vehicle width direction are formedalong the ridgeline 60 extending in the vehicle forward-rearwarddirection on the inside of the upper end part of each side panel 34 inthe vehicle width direction in the vehicle plan view. For this reason,the traveling wind, which flows from the rear end parts 72 of the cabin14 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, efficiently collidesagainst the airstream D that flows out at a relatively high flow speedfrom the second opening 56 of the traveling wind blowing part 58 to thevehicle upper side. Accordingly, since the traveling wind is pushed outoutward in the vehicle width direction, the flow rate of the travelingwind that runs around to the inside in the vehicle width direction onthe vehicle upper side of the loading platform 16 and collides againstthe tail gate 36 is further reduced, and the wind pressure that thevehicle front side of the tail gate 36 receives is further reduced. As aresult, the air resistance of the overall vehicle is further reduced,and aerodynamic performance is improved.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, it is not needed to attach a heavyload, such as a tonneau cover, in order to prevent the traveling windfrom running around to the inside in the vehicle width direction on thevehicle upper side of the loading platform 16 and colliding against thetail gate 36, and a structure or mechanism for actuating the heavy loadis also not needed. For this reason, compared to a tonneau cover mountedvehicle, the number of parts is reduced, and the weight of the vehicleis also reduced. Moreover, since it is not needed to attach the tonneaucover, there is no restriction on the height of freights to be loaded onthe loading platform 16.

From the above description, in the vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck according to the present embodiment, by controlling a flow rate onthe rear side of the pickup truck 10 in the vehicle forward-rearwarddirection using the vehicle-width-direction outer part 40 of each sidepanel 34 of the pickup truck 10, the air resistance that the pickuptruck 10 receives can be further reduced, and an increase in the weightof the vehicle can be suppressed.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In addition, the samecomponents as those of the aforementioned first embodiment will bedesignated by the same numbers, and the description thereof will beomitted.

Similar to the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck described in thefirst embodiment, the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck accordingto the second embodiment is configured to include the cabin 14, theloading platform 16 having the side panels 34 and the tail gate 36, thetraveling wind inlet part 44 provided with the first opening 42, thetraveling wind blowing part 58 provided with the second opening 56, andthe intermediate part 64 provided with the straightening plates 66.

Nothing is provided on the inner wall of the traveling wind blowing part58 on the inside in the vehicle width direction in the first embodiment,whereas in the second embodiment, a first deflection part 74, which isinclined up to the second opening 56 toward the outside in the vehiclewidth direction and the vehicle upper side is formed on the inner wallof the traveling wind blowing part 58 on the inside in the vehicle widthdirection. The first deflection part 74 is a member formed of any one ofmetal and resin or a combination thereof, or a member formed integrallywith the side panels 34.

Working and Effects of Second Embodiment

Next, the working and the effects of the present embodiment will bedescribed.

Similar to the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck of the firstembodiment, each side panel 34 of the loading platform 16 according tothe second embodiment is also configured to include the traveling windinlet part 44 provided with the first opening 42, the traveling windblowing part 58 provided with the second opening 56, and theintermediate part 64 provided with the straightening plates 66, the sameeffects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

That is, the traveling wind, which passes through the rear end parts 72of the cabin 14 on both sides in the vehicle width direction and triesto run around to the inside of the loading platform 16 in the vehiclewidth direction, is pushed out and deflected outward in the vehiclewidth direction due to the airstream D that has flowed out at arelatively high flow speed from the traveling wind blowing part 58 tothe vehicle upper side. For this reason, the flow rate of the travelingwind that collides against the tail gate 36 erected from a vehicle rearpart is further reduced, and the wind pressure that the vehicle frontside of the tail gate 36 receives is further reduced.

Moreover, in the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck according tothe second embodiment, by providing the first deflection part 74, thestraightened airstream flows out at a relatively high flow speed towardthe vehicle upper side and the outside in the vehicle width directionfrom the second opening 56 of the traveling wind blowing part 58. Theflow rate, on the vehicle upper side of the loading platform 16, of thetraveling wind that has passed through the rear end parts 72 of thecabin 14 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, that is, anaspect in which the traveling wind runs around to the inside of theloading platform 16 in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle upperside of the loading platform 16, is variously different depending on theshape of the cabin 14, and the length, width, and shape of the loadingplatform 16. For this reason, the running-around of the traveling wind,which has passed through the rear end parts 72 of the cabin 14 on bothsides in the vehicle width direction, to the inside in the vehicle widthdirection is gentle. In a case where a flow on the outside in thevehicle width direction on the vehicle upper side of the traveling windblowing part 58 is dominant, the traveling wind that flows on thevehicle upper side of the traveling wind blowing part 58 is efficientlypushed out outward in the vehicle width direction due to the airstream Dthat has been deflected by the first deflection part 74 and has flowedout outward in the vehicle width direction from the second opening 56 ofthe traveling wind blowing part 58. Accordingly, since the flow rate ofthe traveling wind, which runs around to the inside of the loadingplatform 16 in the vehicle width direction and collides against the tailgate, is further reduced, the air resistance of the overall vehicle isfurther reduced, and the aerodynamic performance is improved.

From the above description, in the vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck according to the present embodiment, by controlling a flow rate onthe rear side of the pickup truck 10 in the vehicle forward-rearwarddirection using the vehicle-width-direction outer part 40 of each sidepanel 34 of the pickup truck 10, the air resistance that the pickuptruck 10 receives can be further reduced, and an increase in the weightof the vehicle can be suppressed.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the vehicle side structure of a pickup truckwill be described with reference to FIG. 7. In addition, the samecomponents as those of the aforementioned first embodiment will bedesignated by the same numbers, and the description thereof will beomitted.

Similar to the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck described in thefirst embodiment, the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck accordingto the third embodiment is configured to include the cabin 14, theloading platform 16 having the side panels 34 and the tail gate 36, thetraveling wind inlet part 44 provided with the first opening 42, thetraveling wind blowing part 58 provided with the second opening 56, andthe intermediate part 64 provided with the straightening plates 66.

Nothing is provided on the outer wall of the traveling wind blowing part58 on the outside in the vehicle width direction in the firstembodiment, whereas in the third embodiment, a second deflection part76, which is inclined up to the second opening 56 toward the inside inthe vehicle width direction and the vehicle upper side is formed on theouter wall of the traveling wind blowing part 58 on the outside in thevehicle width direction. That is, the second deflection part 76 is seton a side opposite to the first deflection part 74 of the aforementionedsecond embodiment in the rightward-leftward direction. The seconddeflection part 76 is a member formed of any one of metal and resin or acombination thereof, or a member formed integrally with the side panels34.

Working and Effects of Third Embodiment

Next, the working and the effects of the present embodiment will bedescribed.

Similar to the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck of the firstembodiment, each side panel 34 of the loading platform 16 according tothe third embodiment is also configured to include the traveling windinlet part 44 provided with the first opening 42, the traveling windblowing part 58 provided with the second opening 56, and theintermediate part 64 provided with the straightening plates 66, the sameeffects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

That is, the traveling wind, which passes through the rear end parts 72of the cabin 14 on both sides in the vehicle width direction and triesto run around to the inside of the loading platform 16 in the vehiclewidth direction, is pushed out and deflected outward in the vehiclewidth direction due to the airstream D that has flowed out at arelatively high flow speed from the traveling wind blowing part 58 tothe vehicle upper side. For this reason, the flow rate of the travelingwind that collides against the tail gate 36 erected from a rear end partof the loading platform 16 is further reduced, and the wind pressurereceived by the vehicle front side of the tail gate 36 is furtherreduced.

Moreover, in the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck according tothe third embodiment, by providing the second deflection part 76, thestraightened airstream flows out at a relatively high flow speed towardthe vehicle upper side and the inside in the vehicle width directionfrom the second opening 56 of the traveling wind blowing part 58. Theflow rate, on the vehicle upper side of the loading platform 16, of thetraveling wind that has passed through the rear end parts 72 of thecabin 14 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, that is, anaspect in which the traveling wind runs around the inner side of theloading platform 16 in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle upperside of the loading platform 16, is variously different depending on theshape of the cabin 14 and the length, width, and shape of the loadingplatform 16. For this reason, the running-around of the traveling wind,which has passed through the rear end parts 72 of the cabin 14 on bothsides in the vehicle width direction, to the inside in the vehicle widthdirection is steep. In a case where a flow on the inside in the vehiclewidth direction on the vehicle upper side of the traveling wind blowingpart 58 is dominant, the traveling wind that flows on the vehicle upperside of the traveling wind blowing part 58 is efficiently pushed outinward in the vehicle width direction opposite to the traveling windblowing part 58 in the rightward-leftward direction due to the airstreamD that has been deflected by the second deflection part 76 and hasflowed out inward in the vehicle width direction from the second opening56 of the traveling wind blowing part 58. Accordingly, since the flowrate of the traveling wind, which runs around to the inside of theloading platform 16 in the vehicle width direction and collides againstthe tail gate, is further reduced, the air resistance of the overallvehicle is further reduced, and the aerodynamic performance is improved.

From the above description, in the vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck according to the present embodiment, by controlling a flow rate onthe rear side of the pickup truck 10 in the vehicle forward-rearwarddirection using the vehicle-width-direction outer part 40 of each sidepanel 34 of the pickup truck 10, the air resistance received by thepickup truck 10 can be further reduced, and an increase in the weight ofthe vehicle can be suppressed.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In addition, the samecomponents as those of the aforementioned first embodiment will bedesignated by the same numbers, and the description thereof will beomitted.

Similar to the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck described in thefirst embodiment, the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck accordingto the fourth embodiment is configured to include the cabin 14, theloading platform 16 having the side panels 34 and the tail gate 36, thetraveling wind inlet part 44 provided with the first opening 42, thetraveling wind blowing part 58 provided with the second opening 56, andthe intermediate part 64 provided with the straightening plates 66.

The straightening plates 66 of the first embodiment extend parallel tothe flow passage 62 and in a direction in which the traveling wind flowsfrom the intermediate part 64 to the second opening 56, whereas in thefourth embodiment, the straightening plates 66 are deflected toward thevehicle rear side and the vehicle upper side in the traveling windblowing part.

Working and Effects of Fourth Embodiment

Next, the working and the effects of the present embodiment will bedescribed.

Similar to the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck of the firstembodiment, each side panel 34 of the loading platform 16 according tothe fourth embodiment is also configured to include the traveling windinlet part 44 provided with the first opening 42, the traveling windblowing part 58 provided with the second opening 56, and theintermediate part 64 provided with the straightening plates 66, and thusthe same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

That is, the traveling wind, which passes through the rear end parts 72of the cabin 14 on both sides in the vehicle width direction and triesto run around to the inside of the loading platform 16 in the vehiclewidth direction, is pushed out and deflected outward in the vehiclewidth direction due to the airstream D that has flowed out at arelatively high flow speed from the traveling wind blowing part 58 tothe vehicle upper side. For this reason, the flow rate of the travelingwind that collides against the tail gate 36 erected from a rear end partof the loading platform 16 is further reduced, and the wind pressurereceived by the vehicle front side of the tail gate 36 is furtherreduced.

Moreover, in the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck according tothe fourth embodiment, the straightening plates 66 are deflected towardthe vehicle rear side and the vehicle upper side in the traveling windblowing part 58. For this reason, the airstream D that has beenstraightened by the intermediate part 64 and has flowed out of thesecond opening 56 of the traveling wind blowing part 58 flows at arelatively high flow speed toward the vehicle upper side and the vehiclerear. The traveling wind, which has a flow speed rearward in the vehicleforward-rearward direction and flows from the rear end parts 72 of thecabin 14 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, is acceleratedtoward the vehicle rear side by colliding against the airstream D.Accordingly, since the position in the vehicle forward-rearwarddirection where the traveling wind runs around to the inside of theloading platform 16 in the vehicle width direction is shifted toward thevehicle rear, a situation in which the traveling wind running around tothe inside the loading platform 16 in the vehicle width directioncollides against the tail gate 36 is avoided. For this reason, the airresistance of the overall vehicle is further reduced, and aerodynamicperformance is improved.

From the above description, in the vehicle side structure of a pickuptruck according to the present embodiment, by controlling a flow rate onthe rear side of the pickup truck 10 in the vehicle forward-rearwarddirection using the vehicle-width-direction outer part 40 of each sidepanel 34 of the pickup truck 10, the air resistance received by thepickup truck 10 can be further reduced, and an increase in the weight ofthe vehicle can be suppressed.

Other Embodiments

In addition, in the present embodiment, the flow passage 62 is providedto include the straightening plates 66 extending so as to becomeparallel to the flow passage 62 between the intermediate part 64 and thetraveling wind blowing parts 58. However, the disclosure is not limited,and as illustrated in FIG. 9, the flow passage 62 may be formed exceptfor the straightening plates 66.

Additionally, in the present embodiment, the straightening plates 66 areprovided to extend from the intermediate part 64 to the traveling windblowing part 58. However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and thestraightening plates 66 may be provided to extend from the travelingwind inlet part 44 to the traveling wind blowing part 58.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the second opening 56 is formedsuch that the inner part of the second opening 56 in the vehicle widthdirection is formed along the ridgeline 60 that extends in the vehicleforward-rearward direction on the inside of the upper end part of eachside panel 34 in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle plan view.However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and the second opening56 may be formed at the upper end part of each side panel 34 at aposition where the inner part of the second opening 56 in the vehiclewidth direction and the ridgeline 60 extending in the vehicleforward-rearward direction on the inside of the upper end part of theside panel 34 in the vehicle width direction do not coincide with eachother in a vehicle plan view.

Moreover, in the vehicle side structure of a pickup truck illustrated inthe present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2, the travelingwind blowing part 58 is provided on the rear side of the upper end partof each side panel 34 in the vehicle forward-rearward direction.However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and the traveling windblowing part 58 may be provided on the front side of the upper end partof the side panel 34 in the vehicle forward-rearward direction. This isbecause the aspect in which the traveling wind runs around to the insidein the vehicle width direction on the vehicle upper side of the loadingplatform 16 is variously different depending on the shape of the cabin14 and the length, width, and shape of the loading platform 16.

The intermediate part may have an introduction part that is connected tothe first opening and extends inward in the vehicle width direction fromthe first opening and in the vehicle forward-rearward direction so as tobe inclined with respect to the outer part of the side panel.

The intermediate part may have a discharge part that is connected to thesecond opening, is disposed along an inner surface of the side panel inthe vehicle width direction, and extends to the vehicle front side and avehicle lower side from the second opening.

The flow passage may include a plurality of the straightening plates,and the straightening plates may be disposed at equal intervals betweenan outer wall on an outside in the vehicle width direction and an innerwall 70 on an inside in the vehicle width direction.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle side structure of a pickup truck, thevehicle side structure comprising: a cabin that is disposed at a middleof a vehicle in a vehicle forward-rearward direction; and a loadingplatform that is disposed adjacent to a rear side of the cabin in thevehicle forward-rearward direction, is configured to include a bottomplate formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, a pair of right and leftside panels, the side panels being erected toward a vehicle upper sidefrom both sides of the bottom plate in a vehicle width direction andextending in the vehicle forward-rearward direction, and a tail gatethat is erected toward the vehicle upper side from a rear end part ofthe bottom plate and extends in the vehicle width direction, the loadingplatform being formed in a box shape that opens toward the vehicle upperside, wherein each of the right and left side panels includes atraveling wind inlet part that is disposed at an outer part of each ofthe right and left side panels in the vehicle width direction, andincludes a first opening which opens toward a vehicle front side, andinto which traveling wind flowing along an outer surface of each of theright and left side panels in the vehicle width direction flows, atraveling wind blowing part that is disposed at an upper end part ofeach of the right and left side panels, and includes a second openingwhich opens toward the vehicle upper side, and which from which thetraveling wind flowing in from the traveling wind inlet part flows out,and an intermediate part including a flow passage provided between thetraveling wind inlet part and the traveling wind blowing part.
 2. Thevehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediatepart has an introduction part that is connected to the first opening andextends inward in the vehicle width direction from the first opening andextends in the vehicle forward-rearward direction so as to be inclinedwith respect to the outer part of the side panel.
 3. The vehicle sidestructure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate part has adischarge part that is connected to the second opening, is disposedalong an inner surface of the side panel in the vehicle width direction,and extends to the vehicle front side and a vehicle lower side from thesecond opening.
 4. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1,wherein the flow passage includes a straightening plate that straightensthe traveling wind that has flowed in from the traveling wind inletpart.
 5. The vehicle side structure according to claim 4, wherein thestraightening plate is provided to extend toward a vehicle rear side andthe vehicle upper side in the traveling wind blowing part.
 6. Thevehicle side structure according to claim 4, wherein the flow passageincludes a plurality of the straightening plates, and the straighteningplates are disposed at equal intervals between an outer wall of the flowpassage on an outside in the vehicle width direction and an inner wallof the flow passage on an inside in the vehicle width direction.
 7. Thevehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the traveling windblowing part includes a first deflection part that is provided on aninner wall of the traveling wind blowing part on an inside in thevehicle width direction and has a first inclination surface extending upto the second opening toward an outside in the vehicle width directionand the vehicle upper side, or a second deflection part that is providedat an outer wall of the traveling wind blowing part on the outside inthe vehicle width direction and has a second inclination surfaceextending up to the second opening toward the inside in the vehiclewidth direction and the vehicle upper side.